The Sufficiency of Christ in Support Raising: Trusting God in Weakness
In life and ministry, we often face moments that feel overwhelming—moments when our efforts fall short, and we are forced to confront our limitations. For many, especially those in ministry or fundraising, these challenges can feel like obstacles that stand in the way of progress. However, the Apostle Paul offers a counterintuitive but powerful truth in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
In this passage, Paul recounts a time when he struggled with a persistent challenge—a “thorn in the flesh.” Despite pleading with God to remove it, the response he received from Christ was clear: His grace would be enough. Paul’s experience reveals a profound spiritual reality: our weaknesses are not barriers to God’s power but rather the very stage on which His strength can be displayed.
This truth is not just relevant to Paul’s personal struggles; it speaks directly to those of us engaged in the work of ministry, particularly in the challenging arena of support raising. When we feel overwhelmed by the demands of fundraising, we can be tempted to rely on our strengths, strategies, and plans. Yet, it is in these very moments that we are called to rest in the sufficiency of Christ.
The Context of Paul's Struggle
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul defends his ministry against false prophets, detailing his sufferings and how he has seen God work. At the heart of his testimony, Paul shares a mysterious experience where he was caught up in paradise. To keep him from becoming conceited due to the greatness of these revelations, God allowed a thorn in his flesh—a messenger of Satan to harass him. Though Paul pleaded for its removal, Christ’s response was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
What we see here is a man who, despite his great faith and calling, was reminded of his own human frailty. He sought relief from God, but instead of removing the difficulty, God gave him something greater: the promise that His grace would be enough.
Many of us can relate to Paul’s plea when it comes to the challenges of support raising. It can feel like a thorn, a persistent difficulty that tests our faith. Yet, in the same way that God used Paul's thorn to display His power, He uses the challenges of fundraising to remind us that His grace is more than sufficient.
Relying on Christ's Sufficiency in Support Raising
One of the greatest temptations in support raising is to rely on our efforts. It’s easy to think that if we work hard enough or connect with the right people, we can overcome the difficulties. While diligence is important, the danger lies in thinking that our efforts alone will carry us through.
Effort Over Grace
Sometimes we believe that if we just work harder or do enough, we can avoid the struggle altogether. We push ourselves to make more calls, send more emails, or organize more meetings, thinking that our efforts will solve the problem. But Christ’s response to Paul reminds us that the goal is not to eliminate hardship through human effort but to depend on His grace. God uses our weaknesses and challenges to draw us closer to Him and to make His power evident.Relying on People, Not Christ
Another common trap is looking to others for our sufficiency. How often have we placed our hopes in a particular donor or group, thinking they are the solution to our fundraising challenges? It’s tempting to see certain people as the key to our success, but this can subtly shift our reliance on Christ to human sources of support. Our faith should not rest in people’s generosity but in God’s provision.Trusting in Plans Instead of Providence
Plans and strategies are helpful, but when we start trusting in them more than God, we lose sight of His sufficiency. We might think that if God would just follow our plans, everything would work out perfectly. However, part of resting in Christ’s sufficiency is surrendering our plans and trusting in His timing and ways, even when they don’t align with our own.
How to Rest in Christ's Sufficiency
So how do we rest in Christ’s sufficiency, especially when the pressures of support raising are so real? Here are four practical steps:
Admit Your Need
Paul openly admitted his weaknesses. He acknowledged both his strengths and his struggles. Likewise, we need to admit where we fall short, where we feel weak, and where we need God’s help. This is not a sign of failure but an opportunity for God to display His strength through us.Pray for Grace
After admitting our need, we must turn to God in prayer. Instead of running to our own solutions or strategies, we should go to God and ask for His grace. Just as Paul prayed for relief, we should bring our requests to God, trusting that He will give us the grace to endure and thrive during challenges.Trust His Promises
God’s grace is not just a concept; it’s a promise. We need to trust that His grace is sufficient for us, even when we feel inadequate. When we face criticism or failure, we must remember that God’s love for us does not depend on our performance but on His grace. This allows us to face challenges with confidence, knowing that He is at work even in our weaknesses.Act in Faith
Resting in Christ’s sufficiency doesn’t mean we do nothing. Instead, it means we act with the confidence that God is working through us. As we make calls, follow up with people, and take steps to raise support, we do so not out of fear or self-reliance but out of faith in God’s provision. We give thanks for the opportunities He provides and trust that He will supply what we need.
Reflection Questions
To help you apply these truths to your own life and ministry, consider the following questions:
What areas of your life or ministry do you find yourself tempted to rely on your efforts instead of trusting God's sufficiency?
What practical steps can you take to surrender control over your fundraising outcomes to God, trusting Him fully to provide?
What does resting in Christ's sufficiency look like when you also have goals and deadlines to meet?
What specific promises from Scripture do you hold onto when you feel anxious or overwhelmed in your fundraising efforts?
